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Secrets of Surfing Wisconsin

Yes, you can surf on a lake, and believe it or not Wisconsin arguably has some of the best lake surfing in the world. As a global crew of Land Locked Surfers, one of our goals is to build an archive of Community Leaders passionate about helping others discover the stoke of surfing outside of the ocean. This will help accomplish our vision of having an accessible point person for each surf community, location, and discipline. For example, if you live the United States, especially in the Wisconsin region, and you are trying to get into lake surfing then Tommy Shimenetto is our recommended resource for you. His lake surfing network runs deep in Wisconsin and he is passionate about sharing with others the stoke he finds out on the water!

For questions about surfing in Wisconsin it’s best to contact Tommy through his Instagram: @chicagosurfer

Let’s get to know Tommy, your Wisconsin surf connection!

Tyler Rickenbach | Free Soul Studios

Q: Give us some background, who is Tommy Shimenetto ?

Tommy: I’m a Dad, husband, surfer, adventurer, and explorer born and raised in Chicago. We moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin in mid 2017. At an early age I began skateboarding. In 2010 I learned to surf on a vacation to Kauai and I haven’t stopped since. Surfing is a HUGE passion of mine. I love meeting new people in the water. I love to spend time outside with my wife Courtney and our daughter Skyler, especially at the beach surfing and just relaxing. We often vacation on Kauai, spreading the stoke and sharing waves!

Q: How and when did you get into Surfing in Wisconsin?

Tommy: I first learned about the surf in Wisconsin years ago,  when I came across some photos from a surfer at Third Coast Surf Shop. My wife Courtney and I booked a hotel room in Sheboygan when the winds favored the elbow. We drove up at night, and when we arrived we could hear the waves crashing on the shore. That morning was was one of the most magical moments of my Great Lakes surf experiences!

Q: Through your eyes describe the surf scene in your area, what are you doing to help it grow?

Tommy: The Surf scene in our town needs no help growing! It’s the biggest reason we moved here. Sheboygan has so much stoke!! Totally on autopilot. We are just blessed to be involved in a town where the roots run very deep. Its likely when you’re walking around town you will see boards hanging out the back of a pickup truck or strapped to the roof of a car.

Q: In Wisconsin, what are a few types of surfing riders are taking advantage of, which is your favorite, and why?

Tommy: There are so many surfers charging shortboards and longboards alike. But 11+ foot gliders with a 6” single fin are really magical. People also kite surf here. It’s a great way to take advantage of high wind days and still get on the water. I’m sure I’ll be getting into it one of these days.
Stand up paddle is also something my wife and I enjoy when it’s flat. She loves the glassy glide. When I’m in the line up though I am prone most of the time. There are surfers here who stand up paddle into waves, and it’s all good. The vibe is super welcoming to everyone.

Tyler Rickenbach | Free Soul Studios

Q: As a Locked Surfing Community Leader, what are your areas of expertise new riders should ask you about?

Tommy: As an LLS Community Leader, I can help with surf spots and how they work, and areas of danger to be aware of. Wind direction and weather are a big part of surfing the lakes. I can help new surfers with wave prediction, apps to use, and which breaks are going off when. It’s a skill that takes some time to develop. I can help new surfers decide what equipment they need to surf the lakes. Based on their experience and needs, I can hook them up to the two amazing surfshops on our western shores: EOS in Sheboygan and Lake Effect in Milwaukee to make sure they have the proper equipment.

Q: What drives you to get better everyday?

Tommy: What drives me is honoring myself with hard training, and nutrition. Striving to find that balance between family, work, and surf.

Q: What are your surfing/life goals for this year?

Tommy: My yearly goal is always to try to make all swells. I’ve had 8 sessions already out of the first 15 days of 2018! This year I also want to stand up paddle 100 miles total.

Q: In your world of surfing, who do you look up to most and why?

Tommy: I really admire all my friends that I’m blessed to share waves with. Mike Killion, Mike Calabro, Dave Benjamin, David Owens, Ian Jacobson of Chicago SUP, B Rian, Garrett, Jack Flynn, Patt Noyes, Amanda Bye, Mike Miller, Grant Davey, Lee and Larry Williams, Ryan Lefever , Chris Bridgman, Peter Lambert, Laird Hamilton, John John, to name a few. I look up to whoever is having the most fun and catching the most waves!

Q: Outside of Lake Surfing what are your other passions?

Tommy: All types of training—Crossfit, Yoga, interval training, cold water breath work. All aspects of nutrition interest me. I love to fish, and be outdoors in general. I’m also a drummer. Since we moved I’ve finally set up my drum kit again. Making music with friends is also a passion of mine. I’ve played and am still playing and writing music with so many talented humans in the Chicago music scene. In recent years I’ve developed a strong interest in photography. The lake is ever changing and I love to capture the waves and the surfers!

Q:  What is something funny very few people may know about you?

Tommy: I’m really wanting to add chickens to our back yard! I believe its great that our daughter Skyler continues to see and learn where our food comes from.

Closing Thoughts: I’m stoked to be a part of the Land Locked Surfing community and am excited to network with fellow surfers around the world. I’m always searching for a wave and chasing a great sunrise and sunset.

Questions about surfing in Wisconsin? Best to contact Tommy through his Instagram: @chicagosurfer

Tyler Rickenbach | Free Soul Studios

About the Photographer

My name is Tyler Rickenbach. One of my earliest childhood memories dates back to flipping through dust covered National Geographic magazines and staring at the images for hours. Since then, I’ve been drawn to visual storytelling and creating authentic images that convey emotion. It may be a strange concept, but it’s how I approach every shoot. I believe an image should be able to put us in that moment, and stop our thumbs from scrolling — which is what I try to do with every image I take. If there was one word that described me, it would be passionate or maybe even obsessed. Visual storytelling is what I live and breath because it takes me out of my comfort zone, and allows me to become the best version of myself.
All the best,
Tyler Rickenbach / Stills + Motion
Free Soul Studios
Appleton, WI
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3 Ways to Surf in Georgia

As a global crew of Land Locked Surfers, one of our goals is to build an archive of Community Leaders passionate about helping others discover the stoke of surfing outside of the ocean. This will help accomplish our vision of having an accessible point person for each surf community, location, and discipline. For example, if you live the United States, especially in the Georgia region, and you are trying to get into inland surfing then Ashley Harel is our recommended resource for you. Her inland surfing network runs deep in Georgia and she is passionate about sharing with others the stoke she finds out on the water!

For questions about surfing in Georgia it’s best to contact Ashley through her Instagram: @ashleytheskateboardingnurse

Let’s get to know Ashley, your Georgia surf connection!

Q: Give us some background, who is Ashley Harel?

Ashley:  I am 28 years old and currently living in  Atlanta GA. I was born in Connecticut, and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina.  I received my nursing degree in Charleston, SC in 2012 then moved to Atlanta a month later.  I grew up skateboarding, snowboarding, playing Basketball, and many other sports. I just love trying new things and pushing my own limits.   I have always had a love and pull towards the water, so when I discovered I could surf other places besides the ocean I was so excited.

Q: How and when did you get into Surfing in Georgia?

Ashley:  In 2015 my good friend introduced me to Thursday Surf Nights with Jenny and Perry from Pull Water Sports.  I went out with them that summer about 9 times then entered my first wake surf nationals that year.  When I started wake surfing I was instantly addicted.  I was so amazed that there was an endless wave! As a skateboarder, once started seeing all the tricks that were possible it made me even more excited to learn everything I could about wake surfing.

Q: Through your eyes describe the surf scene in your area, what are you doing to help it grow?

Ashley: The Surf scene in Atlanta and the surrounding area is booming with a constant flow of new and experienced wake surfers.  At multiple lakes including, Allatoona, Lanier, sinclair, and more!  People are out on the water every week all year long.  We have many people to surf with on each lake. Two big surf nights we have are with Danny B, from Allatoona Adventures, near little river marina on Lake Allatoona, and Thursday Surf nights with Jenny and Perry from Pull Water sports on Lake Lanier.  They both offer board demos, and Perry offers Tige boat demos.  Jordan (@wolfe.jordan) and Taylor wolfe (@taylor_wolf3) also offer lessons as pro riders in wake surfing.  They are located on Lake Sinclair and can be contacted through instagram as well as email and by phone.  I, myself, offer lessons on the south end of Lake Allatoona at Holiday Harbor Marina. Lessons and introducing new people to the sport is how I am helping the surf scene grow in the greater Atlanta area. In the last two years I have introduced over 50 people to wake surfing.

Q: In Georgia, what are few types of inland surfing riders are taking advantage of, which is your favorite, and why?

Ashley: 

  • Wake Surfing – This is by far my favorite because I feel it is most closely related to ocean surfing.  
  • Flo-rider
  • Stand-up paddle boarding

Q: As a Locked Surfing Community Leader, what are your areas of expertise new riders should ask you about?

Ashley: If you need a place to surf, rent/buy gear, get lessons, set up your boat or just have questions about a specific trick, Im your girl!

Q: What drives you to get better everyday?

Ashley: Surfing is so much fun and a very safe sport. The feeling of cruising on your board over the water and landing new tricks is like no other. Its a rush of excitement, accomplishment, and happiness all at once. It’s addicting because there is always something new you can learn.  What drives me to surf better everyday is pure excitement and fun!

Q: What are your surfing/life goals for this year?

Ashley: My surfing goals for this upcoming season are to learn as many tricks as I can and maybe even invent some new ones. I’d love to compete well in the outlaw division and also establish more relationships with all my fellow wake surfers !  My life goals are to keep being a good nurse, wife, friend, and person.  I want to spread surfing, skating, and all things that I am passionate about to others, so they can feel the joy of these amazing sports as well.

Q: In your world of surfing, who do you look up to most and why?

Ashley: This is always a hard question because there are so many great surfers and people out there.  The two people that inspire me the most are John Ackerman and Jodi Grassman.  They are both great surfers that are constantly pushing the limits of the sport, but the most inspiring thing about them is that they are humble and kind.  I love both of their outgoing spirits and their love for board sports.

Q: Outside of land locked surfing what are your other passions?

Ashley: Oh man this is a loaded question for me lol.  I have so many passions and many of them came before wake surfing.  My biggest passion besides surfing is skateboarding. I have been skateboarding since I was 9 years old and its given me a little head start with wake surfing.  I also enjoy snowboarding, ocean surfing, dirt biking, irish hurling, basketball, climbing, parkour, running, videography, photography, traveling, playing music, and art.  Overall, I just enjoy trying new things, and exploring the world. I love being outside in the sun and trying anything that looks fun!

Q:  What is something funny very few people may know about you?

Ashley: Okay I am going to be completely honest with this question, and see how many people still want to be my friend after sharing this stuff,haha, so hear goes:  I love to make animals noises and impressions. The Chicken is probably my best one, but I have many more. I am really really good at running on all fours. I enjoy eating raw garlic, especially when I feel bad haha.  Basically I am really goofy and dorky. I enjoy reading medical books in my free time and researching things about health.

Questions about surfing in Georgia? Best to contact Ashley through her Instagram: @ashleytheskateboardingnurse

 

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Raising Cain in South Calorlina

As a global crew of Land Locked Surfers, one of our goals is to build an archive of Community Leaders passionate about helping others discover the stoke of surfing outside of the ocean. This will help accomplish our vision of having an accessible point person for each surf community, location, and discipline. For example if you live the United States, specially in the Carolina’s region, and you are trying to get into Wake Surfing then Colleen Cain is our recommended resource for you. She is incredibly passionate about networking sharing with others the stoke she finds out on the water.

For questions about Wake Surfing in the Carolina’s, it’s best to contact Colleen through her Instagram: @wksurfgrl11

Let’s get to know Colleen, your Carolina wake surf connection!

Q: Give us some background, who is Colleen Cain?

Cain: I’m 35 years old from Greenville, SC. I was born in Middletown, NY, and moved to New Smyrna Beach,FL, where I grew up. Living on the beach for close to 20 years gave me a great appreciate for the ocean and all of it’s entity. I believe my love for the water comes from being a Pisces. From less than a year old you could find me in my parents pool “wall walking” the pool’s perimeter until I finally found my “fins.”

Q: How and when did you get into Wake Surfing in the Carolina’s?

Cain: Upon graduating from Daytona State College in the summer of 2007, I decided to follow my parents as they moved to Greenville, SC. Since I was so used to being around water, I felt somewhat lost when I found out I was living in a portion of the state that is landlocked. The closest beach is Myrtle, which is five hours away! I began researching lakes that were in close proximity. It wasn’t long before I purchased my 1st watercraft, a brand new 2010 Sea Doo Wake 215. While I had a means of cruising the water, something was still missing. I still remember going on YouTube one day and a video of Ashley Kidd wakesurfing popped up. This was my first encounter with wakesurfing. I knew this was my calling. I did my research and in 2012, I traded my Sea Doo in for a 2008 Centurion Enzo SV230. It was love at first surf!

Q: Through your eyes describe the surf Scene in your area, what are you doing to help it grow?

Cain: When I first started surfing on Lake Hartwell, in Clemson, SC, the sport was pretty unheard of. There was maybe a handful of us out there. It was always fun to watch boats go by and watch them  stare in disbelief as they tried to figure out what I was doing. Some would even stop to ask. As you know social media is an extremely powerful tool to get the word out, so I started posting photos and videos on Facebook and Instagram and eventually my  audience took shape. I started receiving word of demos in my area which helped secure my first board sponsor. I signed up for my first contest in 2014, the Ambush G Series Wakesurf contest. I won the amateur women’s division. I rode for Lakewakes Wakesurf boards for 3 years. I started competing in SC INT contests. Through our local INT League I met a Centurion boats dealer, Strickland Marine, who was beginning to offer Thursday surf nights. I would go out every Thursday after work and not only surf but helped teach new riders how to surf. It was such a great feeling to be able to share something I am so passionate about.

Q: What drives you to get better everyday and move up the ranks?

Cain: I suppose it helps that I am very self motivated and goal oriented. I was taught by my parents to always push my limits and never give up. My perfectionist qualities also help me achieve the goals I set for myself.

Q: What Are your goals as a wake surfer for 2017?

Cain: Honesty my biggest goal and always has been, is to have fun! I’d definitely like to add more tricks to my list. I’m a huge advocate in Pass the Handle, which allows us to get people out behind our boats for free to experience what we may take for granted everyday. A goal of mine is always to progress the sport of wakesurfing in anyway possible. I am fortunate enough that my sponsor, Charlotte Mastercraft Center, shares in my same goals and is always looking to get more people involved in the sport. It is because of their stoke and satisfaction

Q: In the world of wake surfing who do you look up to most and why?

Cain: That’s a tough one. There are so many amazing wakesurfers out there. Even though I’m a surf style rider, Jodi Grassman is a great example of a pro wakesurfer that embodies the same beliefs I do. Not only is she the three time World champion women’s pro skim rider. She was also rider of the year and won best trick for the 2016 season. Jodi is an aggressive rider that is very goal driven. Much like myself, she wants to see the sport of wakesurfing progress. Jodi’s attitude towards the sport and towards other riders is much like mine. We want to have fun and see others having fun too. We train hard and take competition very seriously, but at the end of the day if you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong. Jodi is also very caring and supportive. Unfortunately some pro riders come across to me as celebrities that cannot be bothered by the ordinary wakesurfer. Jodi is very approachable and eager to answers that amateur surfers may have.

Q: As a Land Locked Surfing Community Leader, what are your areas of expertise new riders should ask you about?

Cain: I love teaching new riders and even those who have ridden before and are looking to enter into the competitive sport. I have a keen eye for coaching wakesurfing and can give you the tips you need to land some of those frustrating tricks. I’ve also gotten pretty good at dialing in waves on different boats according to what type of wave you prefer.

Q: Outside of Wake surfing what are your other passions?

Cain: The water will always be my #1 passion. Besides wakesurfing, I love strength training, which helps tremendously with my surfing. I also have a HUGE love for animals though. I have four dogs, a Blue Heeler, a Yorkie, a Chihuahua, and a Boston Terrier. Growing up on Florida I went to Sea World a lot. For as long as I can remember, I would tell people and teachers that I wanted to be Shamu’s trainer when I grew up. My love for marine mammals has stayed with me to this day. I am also a gold level ambassador for Sheshreds.co which is a brand that focuses on females in action sports. The crew is comprised of rad ladies that are killing it everyday in their sport but are also the most fearless and supportive group of females who always have each other’s backs.

Q:  What is something funny very few people may know about you?

Cain: I’ve become known more and more for my crazy wakesurf dismounts. I try to always have a new photo to post for wipeout Wednesdays. I recently compiled a video edit of some of my most epic falls.

Closing Thoughts:  I am always searching for my next wave. I love meeting new people and sharing my passion for wakesurfing with them. I am not one to sit quietly on a boat. I like to offer whatever help or pointers I can to the rider in tow. I also have an affinity for teaching children as I am a dental hygienist in a pediatric office. Children tend to take to sports and progress rather quickly, so it’s always fun watching them from one season to the next land new tricks

Questions about Wake Surfing in the Carolina’s? Best to contact Colleen through her Instagram: @wksurfgrl11

Community Leader